Published 2:47 pm, Monday, June 22, 2015

Jefferson County Commissioners Court appointed Cory Crenshaw to the judgeship of county Court at-Law No. 2 by a 3-2 vote after black leaders urged commissioners to appoint a minority to reflect the county's diversity.

Commissioners were unable to talk much about the candidate they were considering because the agenda item specifically named Crenshaw as the possible appointee.

Commissioners also did not consider an executive session to review the eight or so applicants.

Instead, Precinct 1 Commissioner Eddie Arnold, who placed Crenshaw on the agenda for the appointment, urged the black community to find a candidate of their choosing to nominate in the November 2016 election.

Crenshaw has promised he isn't a candidate for any office in 2016 and also promised he would not change personnel in Court at-Law No. 2, leaving that for an elected successor.

Crenshaw is an assistant district attorney. He was appointed as District Attorney for most of 2014 to fill an unexpired term and stayed with the office after Bob Wortham won election.